The application process was coordinated by Gerry Sneeringer, Director of Information Technology Security in the University of Maryland Office of Information Technology. Sneeringer also serves as the university’s IT security officer. It reflects the substantial accomplishments in information assurance research by faculty and students in many academic disciplines across the university.

“This award is a recognition of the critical role that University of Maryland research is playing in the protection of the information and communications resources essential to 21st century life,” Sneeringer said.

NSA and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) jointly sponsor the National Centers of Academic Excellence Programs and began the Information Assurance Research program in 2007 to promote robust IA technology, policy, and practices that will enable the United States to effectively prevent and respond to catastrophic events. The program recognizes schools that foster an information assurance research focus in curriculum as well as labs. The vision for this program is to establish a process that will present opportunities for IA research centers to drill deeper into much needed solutions to securing the global information grid and provide NSA, DHS, and other federal agencies with insight into academic IA programs that can support advanced academic research and development capabilities.

Universities designated as Centers of Academic Excellence in Information Assurance Education and Centers of Academic Excellence in IA Research are eligible to apply for scholarships and grants through both the Federal and Department of Defense Information Assurance Scholarship Programs.